Girls, Don't Take Your Safety For Granted

This evening my dad brought me and my younger sister into the kitchen for a talk. My dad doesn't normally do this, so at first we thought we were in trouble. His sole purpose of the conversation, however, was not to reprimand us. It was to tell us to be careful the next time we left home for downtown Omaha. Two girls have gone missing near our city and no one knows why.

Just Recently, two girls around my age have gone missing somewhere near where I live. A UNO student disappeared within the last week or so, and so has a young girl from Council Bluffs, IA, just a few minutes across the Missouri River. This has really affected me because I plan to attend UNO this fall. Last year, a gradeschool student, Amber Harris, whose name you may have heard if you live in a state near Nebraska, went missing after school and police have yet to discover her, her body, or a single person who knows where she might be. A few days ago a body was found in a park in North Omaha that MIGHT be Amber's but could even be yet another unfortunate girl.

You never think that something as terrible as this could happen to you or someone you know, but neither could the friends and family of the unfortunate girls mentioned above. Girls, do me a favor and be aware of the follow tips to help ensure that you stay safe.

1. The first thing that a guy would look for in a victim is hairstyle. Ponytails are a great way to grab hold of a girl and drag her where he wants.

2. Don't be too absorbed in your cell phone when walking down city streets. You aren't paying enough attention to who or what is around you.

3. The number one place that women are abducted from is in grocery store parking lots. Number two is office parking lots/garages. Number three is public restrooms. Girls, never think that it is too childish to ask a guy friend or a guy grocery store attendant to walk you to your car late at night. That's what they are there for.

4. ALWAYS PUT UP A FIGHT. An abductor will get discouraged if you fight them. They will soon realize that it is too risky to abduct a screaming and struggling victim.

5. If you suspect someone is following you, turn right around and ask them a direct question like "What time is it?" By looking them in the face, you lose appeal as a target because you can now easily identify them if you get away.

6. Guys always tell you when you're messing around with them to make sure to stay clear of their "sensitive" area. Well, this is one instance where you go straight for the groin. IT HURTS.

7. And whatever you do, don't automatically trust someone you meet on the street even if they seem nice. The one time you do trust them could be the one time you're talking to a rapist or a kidnapper.

At least be aware of what's going on in the city. Know who your friends are and take someone wherever you go. You may think that it will never happen to you, but check out what's going on in your city, especially if it's a big one. It's scary.